System and method for using symbol command language within a communications network via SMS or internet communications protocols

ABSTRACT

A system and method for generating actions utilizing predefined commands within a communications network comprises predefined commands called symbol commands. These are character strings entered into a platform during an internet or SMS communications protocol session. The method and system can be used via the internet or a GSM network and is well-suited for mobile use. In addition, utilization of keywords and alpha-numeric or other character symbols to form symbol commands allows for complex command structuring. A search process is used in combination with a symbol command and a symbol command directory to identify specific goods and services, or related symbol commands. In addition, a platform performs specific predetermined actions in response to the symbol command such as making product purchases or providing services such as location-based services, coupon delivery or travel ticketing. The symbol command structure and platform will also utilize identification information associated with an individual user. Furthermore, the platform may implement a response using location information associated with the user from the country code, area code or prefix code of a user&#39;s telephone number, or use GPS location information associated with the user&#39;s internet device. The symbol command system and method provide an improved form of access to products and services via the internet or SMS.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. application Ser.No. 61/287,619 filed Dec. 17, 2009, and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/314,928, filed on Dec. 18, 2008, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety(hereinafter “incorporated by reference”).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING COMPACTDISC APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to computer-implemented systems and methodsutilizing pre-defined commands within a communications network topurchase or distribute goods, services, promotions, and products. Thepredefined commands are implemented through a communications networkcapable of transmitting the commands by communication protocolsassociated with SMS messaging and/or the internet. The pre-definedcommands are then processed using a platform for receiving andprocessing the pre-defined commands.

In the internet communications protocol variant of the invention, theinternet platform has a user interface, such as a webpage, which isdisplayed to a user on an internet accessible device. The internetaccessible device is typically a mobile phone, but it can be any devicecapable of providing access to communications protocols associated withthe internet. The pre-defined commands according to the invention areparticularly preferred for use with a mobile device having a smallform-factor and miniature-sized display screen. The pre-defined commandscan be input manually by physical keystrokes as a string of individualcharacters or symbols using the mobile device. The commands and anyassociated transactional data may also enter the internet platform forprocessing the symbol commands by alternate paths further describedherein in the illustrative examples and embodiments which follow.

In the SMS communications protocol variant of the invention, a mobilephone or other device capable of transmitting SMS messages functions asthe user interface. The SMS device operates using communicationprotocols capable of transmitting SMS messages between the user deviceand an SMS platform. The SMS platform receives the pre-defined commandscontained in an SMS text message sent through the communicationsnetwork, which is typically a GSM network. Other networks capable oftransmitting SMS messages may also be used. The SMS platform otherwiseoperates to process the pre-defined command to execute the distributionof goods and services in a manner similar to an internet platform afterit has received the pre-defined command sent from the user device. TheSMS user device is typically a mobile phone. But any other user devicemay be used, as long as it is capable of sending messages containing thepre-defined commands via communication protocols associated with SMSmessages.

This invention also relates to computer-implemented systems and methodsfor providing delivery of goods, services, promotions, and productsthrough mobile and/or other electronic devices that have miniature sizescreens with lower screen resolution, e.g. cell phones, smart phones,PDAs, and the like, and methods and systems for providing delivery ofthe services, promotions, and products to take advantage offunctionalities specific to certain mobile devices, such as cell phones,smart phones, hybrid PDAs, and so on.

This invention also relates to computer-implemented systems and methodsfor the communicating, processing, collecting, managing, analyzing andreporting of information relating to user choices and preferences forgoods and services made using mobile and other electronic devices. Inparticular, the invention relates to methods and systems using theidentity of the user. The user identity may be communicated directly bythe user or be associated with a phone number or other informationsource associated with a user's identity. In addition, geographical orother information may be used in the methods and systems incommunicating, processing, collecting, managing, analyzing and reportingof information relating to the users identity and activity. Thisinformation is particularly relevant to users of mobile devices andinformation gathered according to the present invention can beimplemented for purposes such as advertising, marketing, and optimizingpromotions, campaigns, orders, sales, subscriptions and the like.

This invention also relates to computer-implemented systems and methodsfor enhancing the usability of mobile devices, and in particular,methods and systems for enhancing the user interface including but notlimited to the representation of text identifiers or graphical objectson the display of the user device in order to enable efficient selectionof predefined commands or other options a user may follow whenrepresented by text identifiers or graphical objects in the user devicedisplay.

DEFINITIONS

The following abbreviations and defined terms apply to methods orsystems of the inventions described in this document. Abbreviationsinclude but are not limited to acronyms and short hand expressions:

AC—area code

AUC—authentication center

BSC—base station controller

BSS—base station system

BTS—base transceiver stations

CC—country code

CDMA—code division multiple access network

cHTML—compact hypertext markup language

CN—core network

CRT—cathode ray tube

CSC—common short code

DGPS—digital GPS

DPI—dot per inch

DSL—digital subscriber line

EIR—equipment identification register

EP—exchange prefix (telephone)

E911—enhanced 911 (mobile telephone location technology)

FC—function command

FPD—flat panel display

FTP—file transfer protocol

GMSC—gateway mobile service switching center

GPS—global positioning system

GSM—global system for mobile communications

GUI—graphical user interface

HLR—home location register

HPLMN—home public land mobile network

HTML—hypertext markup language

HTTP—hypertext transfer protocol

ID—identifier

IM—instant message

IP—internet protocol

IPLMN—interrogating public land mobile network

IR—infrared

ISDN—integrated services digital network

ISP—internet service provider

KW—keyword command

LAN—local area network

LBS—location based system

LCD—liquid crystal display

LED—liquid emitting diode (display)

MO—mobile originating (call or message)

MMS—multimedia messaging service

MSISDN—mobile station integrated services digital network number

MSC—mobile service switching center

MT—mobile terminating (call or message)

M2M—machine to machine

NDC—national destination code

PAN—personal area network

PDA—personal digital assistant

PIN—personal identification number

PLMN—public land mobile network

POS—point of sale

PPI—pixels per inch

RAN—radio access network

SC—symbol command

SCM—symbol command message

“SC Directory”—symbol command directory

“SC Platform”—symbol command platform

“SC Webpage”—symbol command webpage

SMS—short message service

SN—subscriber number

SVGA—super visual graphics array

SXGA—super extended graphics array

SSC—smart symbol command

TDMA—time division multiple access network

TEL—telephone

TV—television

URL—uniform resource locator (web page address)

VGA—video graphics array

VLR—visitor location register

VPLMN—visited public land mobile network

W3C—world wide web consortium

WAAS—wide area augmentation system

WAN—wide area network

WAP—wireless application protocol

WIFI—wireless fidelity

WML—wireless markup language

XGA—extended graphics array

XML—extensible markup language

XHTML—xml-compliant version of HTML

Definitions and defined terms include but are not limited to thefollowing:

The term “symbol command” (SC), or “basic symbol command” (SC), meansany user input string of one or more keyboard characters, such as analpha, numeric or symbol function character such as “+”, “_”, “&”, “%”,“#” and the like, which identifies or accesses a specific correspondingpredefined code, call, tag or any computer instruction whatsoeverinserted in the markup language or program code of a webpage orprogramming module in a platform that is associated with specific goodor service in a directory at a webpage or platform, said directorycontaining a listing of one or more specific goods or services, orfunctional commands for implementing distribution of these goods orservices. Similarly, the terms “SC Directory”, “SC Platform”, and “SCWebpage” mean a directory or library of symbol commands, an SMS orinternet communications protocol platform or a webpage for processingsymbol command(s) with the associated computing devices, computerprogramming modules or coding, and associated electronic peripherals.

The term “symbol command message” (SCM) means a complete characterstring message from a user received by a SC platform. A complete messageincludes at least one basic symbol command and optionally one or moresmart commands, keyword commands or function commands that can becombined with the basic symbol command to form a symbol command message(SCM).

The term “smart symbol command” (SSC) means the association of afunctional processing command with a basic symbol command (SC). Thefunctional processing command is designated through an additional inputcharacter string of one or more keyboard characters, such asalphanumeric or symbol function characters. This additional characterstring accesses one or more specific or generic call commands in themarkup language or source code of a webpage or platform. This referencesa script, binary, or executable code for modifying the execution ofanother symbol command associated with one or more specific goods orservices within a webpage or platform coding. Similarly, the terms“keyword command” and “function command” mean functional associationswith a basic symbol command relating to the quality or quantity of agood or service referenced by the basic symbol command.

The term “tag” means any code or computer instruction whatsoeverinserted in markup language or source code of a webpage. A tag usuallytakes the form of “<tag> . . . </tag>” or “<tag [- . . . ]> . . .</tag>” or the like.

The term “call” means any code or computer instruction whatsoeverinserted in the markup language or source code of a webpage thatreferences a script, binary, or executable code. A “call” usually butdoes not necessarily take the form of “<!--#command-->”, <#include> orthe like.

The term “area code” means digits 1-3 of a 10-digit telephone numberrepresenting a unique code that corresponds to a particular geographicarea, e.g. 202 is the area code for the city of Washington, D.C. In afull telephone number, the digits of “area code” typically precede thedigits of the “exchange code”. The term “area code” may also be known as“city code” and these terms may be used interchangeably.

The term “country code” means the number, e.g. typically two or threedigits, that precedes the area code in a telephone number and is aunique code that corresponds to a particular country.

The term “delivery” means delivery in any form whatsoever including butnot limited to physical delivery or electronic delivery by voicemessages, text messages, IM, email with or without attached documents,multi-media including streaming, tickers, WAP, internet, messagingservice, narrowcast, and so on, and may utilize any communicationprotocol such as SMS, MMS, IP, mobile IP, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and so on.

The term “device” means any electronic device including but not limitedto mobile electronic devices or immobile electronic devices that arecapable of either one-way or two-way communications including but notlimited to cellular phones, handheld radios, pagers, laptop computers,notebook computers, ultra-compact computers, desktop computers, set-topboxes, cable boxes, satellite phones, video phones, PDAs, MP3 players,devices on-board vehicles including but not limited to planes, ships,cars or trucks, and so on, and RFID devices attached to other tangibleitems such as products, packaging, shelves, displays, signs, exhibits,and so on.

The term “exchange code” means digits 4-6 of a 10-digit telephone numberor digits 1-3 of a 7-digit telephone number. In the latter context, theterm “exchange code” may also be known as a “prefix”, e.g. NXX, andthese terms may be used interchangeably. In a full telephone number, thedigits of “exchange code” typically follow the digits of the “areacode”.

The term “geographical variable” can include any variable, orcombination of variables, whatsoever having information relating eitherdirectly or indirectly to geographical information including but notlimited to latitude, longitude, street number, street name, cross-streetname, residential address, billing address, neighborhood, city, county,state, country, zip code, telephone number, area or city code, exchange,IP address, building name, building number, floor number, station name,station number, call box number, survey point, landmark, and so on.

The term “identifier” means any information in any form whatsoever thatuniquely identifies a user or a user's device including but not limitedto a telephone number, a fixed IP address, a device identificationnumber, a device's name, a user's name, a street address, a pre-assignedidentification number, a user-defined pass code, a pre-assigned oruser-defined username, birthplace, and so on.

The term “internet service provider” means any person or entitywhatsoever that provides an access point to the internet including butnot limited to telephone companies, telecommunications companies, cablecompanies, media companies and others as well as universities and otherinstitutions, not-for-profits, community associations, governmententities, and so on.

The term “IP location” means the act of locating a device by, or thelocation derived from, use of an IP address whether or not static ordynamic assigned address, based on the point of access.

The term “latitude” means the latitude of a device as measured indegrees, a combination of degrees and minutes, or a combination ofdegrees, minutes and seconds where a degree comprises 60 minutes and aminute comprises 60 seconds, or as measured in degrees with trailingdecimals or as measured in degrees and minutes with trailing decimals.By convention, the latitude is often measured from the equator, withpositive values to the north of the equator and negative values to thesouth of the equator.

The term “longitude” means the longitude of a device as measured indegrees, or a combination of degrees and minutes, or a combination ofdegrees, minutes and seconds where a degree comprises 60 minutes and aminute comprises 60 seconds, or as measured in degrees with trailingdecimals or degrees and minutes with trailing decimals. By convention,the longitude is often measured from the prime meridian, with positivevalues to the east of the prime meridian and negative values to the westof the prime meridian.

The term “location” means the act of locating a device by, or thelocation derived from, use of GPS location, E911 location, RF location,telelocation, geographical variable, and so on.

The term “GPS location” means the act of locating a device by, or thelocation derived from, use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) in anyform whatsoever, including but not limited to regular GPS based onsatellite position data and assisted GPS (A-GPS), which uses someadditional cellular network information. GPS Location is based ontechnique of “resection” where knowing the distance from an unknownlocation to a certain number of known locations allows the determinationof the position, e.g. coordinates, of the previously unknown location.

The term “E911 location” means the act of locating using “enhanced 911”,a location technology advanced by the FCC that enables mobile orcellular phones to process 911 emergency calls and enable publicemergency services to locate the geographic position of the caller. Theinitial version of this technology involved location informationassociated with the nearest cell tower to a phone. The currenttechnology required by the FCC includes either a handset- ornetwork-based location detection capability so that a caller's locationis determined by the geographic location of the phone to within onehundred meters accuracy of the latitude and longitude of the caller andnot the location of the nearest tower that is transmitting its signal.The FCC refers to this as Automatic Location Identification (ALI) and itallows a wireless or mobile telephone to be located geographically usingsome form of radiolocation from the cellular network, or by using aGlobal Positioning System built into the phone itself.

The term “message” means information in any form whatsoever includingbut not limited to a text message, picture, photo, cartoon, audio,video, animation, presentation, and so on, and any combination of theseforms include multi-media message, audio-video, voice over animation,voice over presentation, pictures or photos with captions, cartoons withcaptions or call-outs, and so on. A message can be information pushed bya customer to a device, requested by the user of the device, e.g.information about a popular destination, or initiated by any person,organization, or entity. A message may be initiated in response to aspecific request or in response to an automated protocol.

The term “network” means any communications network, any sub-network orany combination of these, including an ethernet, LAN, WAN, PAN,internet, intranet, extranet, wired network, wireless network, telephonenetwork, cellular network, cable network, satellite network, a mesh ofnetwork connections or access points, and so on, including but limitedto transmission via conventional electrical conductors, twisted pair,Cat-V, Cat-10, or Cat-100 cables, coaxial cables, fiberoptic cables,DSL, broadband, light transmission, laser transmission, and RFtransmission at any frequency, and so on.

The term “telelocation” means the act of locating a device by, or thelocation derived from, use of a telephone number in any form whatsoeverin whole or in part such as the 10-digit telephone number, a 7-digittelephone number without the area code (or city code), the area code (orcity code) alone, the exchange code alone, and/or a combination of thearea and exchange codes or the area code and exchange codes.

The term “telephone number” means a number that corresponds to aparticular electronic device including but not limited to a mobilephone, PDA, an electronic device connected to a landline, and so on. Atelephone number typically corresponds to an electronic device that iscapable of voice communications but also correspond to an electronicdevice that is capable of voice, facsimile, text, and/or videocommunications.

The term “Public Land Mobile Network” (PLMN) means a communicationsnetwork such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network,a time division multiple access (TDMA) network or code division multipleaccess (CDMA) network. Similarly, a PLMN can be functionally designatedas a Home PLMN, a Visited PLMN, and an Interrogating PLMN.

A “Home PLMN” (HPLMN) is that PLMN in a GSM network in which a GSMnetwork user is a subscriber. The HPLMN functions as theuser/subscriber's home network. The GSM user's subscription data residesin the HLR in that PLMN. A “Visited PLMN” (VPLMN) is a PLMN in a GSMnetwork where a user/subscriber is currently registered. Theuser/subscriber may be registered in their HPLMN or in another PLMN. Inthe latter case, the subscriber is outbound roaming (from the HPLMN'sperspective) and inbound roaming (from the VPLMN's perspective). Whenthe subscriber is currently registered in their HPLMN, then the HPLMN isat the same time the user/subscriber's VPLMN. An “Interrogating PLMN”(IPLMN) is the PLMN containing the GMSC that processes mobileterminating (MT) calls. In general, MT calls are processed by a GMSC inthe PLMN, regardless of the origin of the call. For most networkoperators, MT call processing is performed by a GMSC in the HPLMN; inthat case, the HPLMN is at the same time the IPLMN. Calls destined for aGSM user/subscriber are generally routed to the HPLMN of that GSMsubscriber. Once the call has arrived in the HPLMN, the HPLMN acts asthe IPLMN.

The term “MSISDN number” means a number used to identify auser/subscriber on a public land mobile network (PLMN) when, among otherthings, establishing a call to that user or sending an SMS message tothat user. Hence, the MSISDN number is used for routing purposes. Atypical MSISDN number structure contains a country code (CC) whichidentifies the country or group of countries of the user/subscriber; anational destination code (NDC)—each PLMN in a country has one or moreNDCs allocated to it; the NDC may be used to route a call to theappropriate network; and a subscriber number (SN)—the SN identifies theuser/subscriber within the number plan of a PLMN. In terms of formatstructure, an MSISDN number is usually limited to a maximum of fifteendigits.

The term “GSM network” means a global system for a mobile communicationsnetwork that generally includes the following functional parts:

MSC—the mobile service switching centre (MSC) is the core switchingentity in the network. The MSC is connected to the radio access network(RAN); the RAN is formed by the base station controllers and one or morebase transceiver stations (BSCs and BTSs) within a Public Land MobileNetwork (PLMN). Users of the GSM network are registered with an MSC; allcalls to and from the user are controlled by the MSC. A GSM network hasone or more MSCs, geographically distributed.

VLR—the visitor location register (VLR) contains subscriber data forsubscribers registered in an MSC. Every MSC contains a VLR. Although theMSC and VLR are individually addressable, in general, they are usuallyboth contained in one integrated node.

GMSC—the gateway MSC (GMSC) is the switching entity that controls mobileterminating calls. When a call is established towards a GSMuser/subscriber, a GMSC contacts the HLR of that subscriber, to obtainthe address of the MSC where that subscriber is currently registered.That MSC address is used to route the call to that subscriber.

HLR—the home location register (HLR) is the database that contains asubscription record for each subscriber of the network. A GSM subscriberis normally associated with one particular HLR. The HLR is responsiblefor the sending of subscription data to the VLR (during registration) orGMSC (during mobile terminating call handling).

CN—the core network (CN) consists of, among other things, the MSC(s),GMSC(s) and HLR(s). These entities are the main components for callhandling and subscriber management. Other main entities in the CN arethe equipment identification register (EIR) and authentication centre(AUC); and

BSS—the base station system (BSS) is composed of one or more basestation controllers (BSC) and one or more base transceiver stations(BTS). The BTS contains one or more transceivers (TRX). The TRX isresponsible for radio signal transmission and reception.

The term “mobile originated call” means the MSC that is handling thecall is the serving MSC for the call and the calling user/subscriber isthe served subscriber. Similarly, the term “mobile terminated call”means the GMSC that is handling the call is the serving GMSC for thecall and the called subscriber is the served subscriber.

The term “ZIP location” means the act of locating a device by, or thelocation derived from, use of ZIP code in any form whatsoever includingthe 5-digit zip code, a portion of the ZIP code such as the 2 leadingdigits, the leading 3 digits, and so on, or the zip code plus 4 trailingdigits.

The term “wireless service provider” means any person or entitywhatsoever that provides access to the internet and/or other network(s)including but not limited to telephone companies, telecommunicationscompanies, cable companies, media companies and any other commercialorganizations as well as universities and other institutions,not-for-profits, community associations, government entities, and so on.Access may be WIFI (including any type of 802.11 network, e.g. 802.11b,802.11a, 11g, 11n, dual-band, etc.), bluetooth (including any type ofpersonal area network), broadband, or any other wireless protocol andmay be connected through a wireless access point, a host device withwireless capability, or any other means of access such as a publiclyaccessible grid of devices (or mesh).

The term “screen” means any visual display including but not limited toa CRT, LED, LCD, FPD, TV, HDTV, projection screen, etc., and is usedinterchangeably with the term “visual display.” A screen is capable ofdisplaying M pixels by N lines whereby a screen with 800 pixels by 600lines is capable of displaying 800 distinct dots on each of 600 lines,or about 480,000 pixels.

The term “screen resolution” means the clarity or sharpness of a displayand is signified by the number of dots (pixels) on the entire screen anddenoted by M pixels by N lines and is contrasted with unitized“resolution” which is signified by DPI or PPI.

The term “full size screen” means any visual display capable of a screenresolution of at least 800 pixels by 600 lines (e.g. SVGA), andtypically has 1024 by 768 pixels (e.g. XGA), or 1248 by 1024 pixels(e.g. SXGA), 2048 by 1536 pixels (e.g. QXGA), and so on. The term “fullsize screen” also means any visual display regardless of type ofhardware including but not limited to a CRT, LED, LCD, FPD, TV, HDTV,projection screen, and so on.

The term “miniature size screen” is a smaller viewing area screen andcan refer to a visual display having a higher or lower resolution.Generally, a higher resolution is any screen with 800 pixels by 600lines (e.g. SVGA), 1024 by 768 pixels (e.g. XGA), or 1248 by 1024 pixels(e.g. SXGA), 2048 by 1536 pixels (e.g. QXGA), and so on. Any screen thathas fewer pixels than a full size screen including but not limited to640×480 pixels (e.g. VGA), 320×240 pixels (e.g. QVGA), or 352×288 pixels(e.g. CIF), or 176×144 pixels (e.g. QCIF), and so on. The term“miniature screen” also means any visual display including but notlimited a LED, LCD, FPD, TV, HDTV, and so on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of telecommunications, a communications protocol is the setof standard rules for data representation, signaling, authentication anderror detection required to send information over a communicationschannel. Communication protocols for digital computer networkcommunication have features intended to ensure reliable interchange ofdata over an imperfect communication channel.

The Internet and Internet Communication Protocols

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers, enablingusers to share information along multiple channels. Typically, acomputer that connects to the Internet can access information from avast array of available servers and other computers by movinginformation from them to the computer's local memory. The sameconnection allows that computer to send information to servers on thenetwork; that information is in turn accessed and potentially modifiedby a variety of other interconnected computers. A majority of widelyaccessible information on the Internet consists of inter-linkedhypertext documents and other resources of the World Wide Web (WWW).Computer users typically manage sent and received information with webbrowsers; other software for users' interface with computer networksincludes specialized programs for electronic mail, online chat, filetransfer and file sharing.

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a protocol used for communicating dataacross a packet-switched internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite,also referred to as TCP/IP. The movement of information in the Internetis achieved via a system of interconnected computer networks that sharedata by packet switching using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite(TCP/IP). It is a “network of networks” that consists of millions ofprivate and public, academic, business, and government networks of localto global scope that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables,wireless connections, and other technologies.

IP is the primary protocol in the Internet Layer of the InternetProtocol Suite and has the task of delivering distinguished protocoldatagrams (packets) from the source host to the destination host solelybased on their addresses. For this purpose the Internet Protocol definesaddressing methods and structures for datagram encapsulation. The firstmajor version of addressing structure, now referred to as InternetProtocol Version 4 (IPv4) is still the dominant protocol of theInternet, although the successor, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) isbeing actively deployed worldwide.

Data from an upper layer protocol is encapsulated as packets/datagrams(the terms are basically synonymous in IP). Circuit setup is not neededbefore a host may send packets to another host that it has previouslynot communicated with (a characteristic of packet-switched networks),thus IP is a connectionless protocol. This is in contrast to PublicSwitched Telephone Networks that require the setup of a circuit before aphone call may go through (connection-oriented protocol).

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identification (logicaladdress) that is assigned to devices participating in a computer networkutilizing the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.Although IP addresses are stored as binary numbers, they are usuallydisplayed in human-readable notations, such as 208.77.188.166 (forIPv4), and 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:1:1 (for IPv6).

Cellular Networks and Cellular Network Communication Protocols

A cellular network is a radio network made up of a number of radio cells(or just cells) each served by a fixed transmitter, known as a cell siteor base station. These cells are used to cover different areas in orderto provide radio coverage over a wider area than the area of one cell.Cellular networks are inherently asymmetric with a set of fixed maintransceivers each serving a cell and a set of distributed (generally,but not always, mobile) transceivers which provide services to thenetwork's users

The most common example of a cellular network is a mobile phone (cellphone) network. A mobile phone is a portable telephone which receives ormakes calls through a cell site (base station), or transmitting tower.Radio waves are used to transfer signals to and from the cell phone.Large geographic areas (representing the coverage range of a serviceprovider) are split up into smaller cells to deal with line-of-sightsignal loss and the large number of active phones in an area. In cities,each cell site has a range of up to approximately ½ mile, while in ruralareas the range is approximately 5 miles. In clear open areas, a usermay receive signal from a cell site 25 miles away. Each cell overlapsother cell sites. All of the cell sites are connected to cellulartelephone exchanges “switches”, which in turn connect to the publictelephone network or another switch of the cellular company.

As a phone user moves from one cell area to another, the switchautomatically commands the handset and a cell site with a strongersignal (reported by the handset) to go to a new radio channel(frequency). When the handset responds through the new cell site, theexchange switches the connection to the new cell site.

A “GSM network” is a global system for a mobile communications networkthat generally includes the following functional parts:

MSC—the mobile service switching centre (MSC) is the core switchingentity in the network. The MSC is connected to the radio access network(RAN); the RAN is formed by the base station controllers and one or morebase transceiver stations (BSCs and BTSs) within a Public Land MobileNetwork (PLMN). Users of the GSM network are registered with an MSC; allcalls to and from the user are controlled by the MSC. A GSM network hasone or more MSCs, geographically distributed.

VLR—the visitor location register (VLR) contains subscriber data forsubscribers registered in an MSC. Every MSC contains a VLR. Although theMSC and VLR are individually addressable, in general, they are usuallyboth contained in one integrated node.

GMSC—the gateway MSC (GMSC) is the switching entity that controls mobileterminating calls. When a call is established towards a GSMuser/subscriber, a GMSC contacts the HLR of that subscriber, to obtainthe address of the MSC where that subscriber is currently registered.That MSC address is used to route the call to that subscriber.

HLR—the home location register (HLR) is the database that contains asubscription record for each subscriber of the network. A GSM subscriberis normally associated with one particular HLR. The HLR is responsiblefor the sending of subscription data to the VLR (during registration) orGMSC (during mobile terminating call handling).

CN—the core network (CN) consists of, among other things, the MSC(s),GMSC(s) and HLR(s). These entities are the main components for callhandling and subscriber management. Other main entities in the CN arethe equipment identification register (EIR) and authentication centre(AUC); and

BSS—the base station system (BSS) is composed of one or more basestation controllers (BSC) and one or more base transceiver stations(BTS). The BTS contains one or more transceivers (TRX). The TRX isresponsible for radio signal transmission and reception.

A “mobile originated call” is a call in which the MSC that is handlingthe call is the serving MSC for the call and the calling user/subscriberis the served subscriber. Similarly, a “mobile terminated call” meansthe GMSC that is handling the call is the serving GMSC for the call andthe called subscriber is the served subscriber.

Modern mobile phones use cells because radio frequencies are a limited,shared resource. Cell-sites and handsets change frequency under computercontrol and use low power transmitters so that a limited number of radiofrequencies can be reused by many callers with less interference. Sincealmost all mobile phones use cellular technology, including GSM, CDMA,and AMPS (analog), the term “cell phone” is used interchangeably with“mobile phone”; however, an exception of mobile phones not usingcellular technology is satellite phones.

Short Message Service (SMS) and SMS Protocols

Short Message Service (SMS) is a communication service standardized inthe GSM mobile communication system, using standardized communicationsprotocols allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobiletelephone devices. SMS text messaging is the most widely used dataapplication on the planet, with 2.4 billion active users, and most ofall mobile phone subscribers sending and receiving text messages ontheir phones. The SMS technology has facilitated the development andgrowth of text messaging. The connection between the phenomenon of textmessaging and the underlying technology is so great that in parts of theworld the term “SMS” is used as a synonym for a text message or the actof sending a text message, even when a different protocol is being used.

SMS as used on modern handsets was originally defined as part of the GSMseries of standards in 1985 as a means of sending messages of up to 160characters (including spaces), to and from GSM mobile handsets. Sincethen, support for the service has expanded to include alternative mobilestandards such as ANSI CDMA networks and Digital AMPS, as well assatellite and landline networks. Most SMS messages are mobile-to-mobiletext messages, though the standard supports other types of broadcastmessaging as well.

The Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol is a telecommunicationsindustry protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entitiessuch as short message service centers. It is often used to allow thirdparties (e.g. value-added service providers like news organizations) tosubmit messages, often in bulk. The protocol is based on pairs ofrequest/response PDUs (protocol data units, or packets) exchanged overOSI layer 4 (TCP session or X.25 SVC3) connections. PDUs are binaryencoded for efficiency.

The most commonly used versions of SMPP are v3.3, the most widelysupported standard, and v3.4, which adds transceiver support (singleconnections that can send and receive messages). Data exchange may besynchronous, where each peer must wait for a response for each PDU beingsent, and asynchronous, where multiple requests can be issued in onesending and acknowledged in a skew order by the other peer. The latestversion of SMPP is v5.0.

The Secure SMS Messaging Protocol (SSMS) was initially invented toenhance the security of SMS messages sent by the GSM network. The GlobalService for Mobile communications (GSM) with the greatest worldwidenumber of users succumbs to several security vulnerabilities. In theGSM, only the airway traffic between the Mobile Station (MS) and theBase Transceiver Station (BTS) is optionally encrypted with a weak andbroken stream cipher.

SSMS is a new secure application layer protocol that efficientlyprovides the desired security attributes for the SMS messages to be usedas a secure bearer in payment systems. SSMS efficiently provides theconfidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation for theSMS messages. It makes the SMS messaging suitable for the mobile paymentand mobile commerce applications where the security is the greatconcern.

Signaling System 7 (SS7)

Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) is a set of telephony signalingprotocols which are used to set up most of the world's public switchedtelephone network telephone calls. The main purpose is to set up andtear down telephone calls. Other uses include number translation,prepaid billing mechanisms, short message service (SMS), and a varietyof other mass market services.

It is usually abbreviated as Signaling System No. 7, Signaling System#7, or just SS7. In North America it is often referred to as CCSS7, anacronym for “Common Channel Signaling System 7”. In some Europeancountries, specifically the United Kingdom, it is sometimes called C7(CCITT number 7) and is also known as number 7 and CCIS7. (ITU-T wasformerly known as CCITT.)

There is only one international SS7 protocol defined by ITU-T in itsQ.700-series recommendations. There are however, many national variantsof the SS7 protocols. Most national variants are based on two widelydeployed national variants as standardized by ANSI and ETSI, which arein turn based on the international protocol defined by ITU-T. Eachnational variant has its own unique characteristics. Some nationalvariants with rather striking characteristics are the China (PRC) andJapan (TTC) national variants.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has also defined level 2, 3,and 4 protocols that are compatible with SS7 MTP2 (M2UA and M2PA) MTP3(M3UA) and SCCP (SUA), but use an SCTP transport mechanism. This suiteof protocols is called SIGTRAN.

SMS Message Size

Transmission of short messages between the SMSC and the handset is doneusing the Mobile Application Part (MAP) of the SS7 protocol. Messagesare sent with the MAP mo- and mt-ForwardSM operations, whose payloadlength is limited by the constraints of the signalling protocol toprecisely 140 octets (140 octets=140*8 bits=1120 bits). Short messagescan be encoded using a variety of alphabets: the default GSM 7-bitalphabet (shown above), the 8-bit data alphabet, and the 16-bitUTF-16/UCS-2 alphabet. Depending on which alphabet the subscriber hasconfigured in the handset, this leads to the maximum individual ShortMessage sizes of 160 7-bit characters, 140 8-bit characters, or 7016-bit characters (including spaces).

SMS Gateway and SMS Gateway Providers

SMS gateway is the term used to describe a service transforming messagesto mobile network traffic from other media, or vice versa, allowingtransmission or receipt of SMS messages without the use of a mobilephone. Typical use of a gateway would be to forward simple e-mail to amobile phone recipient.

SMS gateway providers facilitate the SMS traffic between businesses andmobile subscribers, being mainly responsible for carryingmission-critical messages, SMS for enterprises, content delivery andentertainment services involving SMS, e.g. TV voting. Considering SMSmessaging performance and cost, as well as the level of messagingservices, SMS gateway providers can be classified as aggregators or SS7providers.

The aggregator model is based on multiple agreements with mobilecarriers to exchange 2-way SMS traffic into and out of the operator'sShort Message Service Centre (SMS-C), also known as ‘local terminationmodel. Aggregators lack direct access into the SS7 protocol, which isthe protocol where the SMS messages are exchanged. These providers haveno visibility and control over the message delivery, being unable tooffer delivery guarantees. SMS messages are delivered in the operator'sSMS-C, but not the subscriber's handset.

Another type of SMS gateway provider is based on SS7 connectivity toroute SMS messages, also known as international termination model. Theadvantage of this model is the ability to route data directly throughSS7, which gives the provider total control and visibility of thecomplete path during the SMS routing. This means SMS messages can besent directly to and from recipients without having to go through theSMS-C of other mobile operators. Therefore, it's possible to avoiddelays and message losses, offering full delivery guarantees of messagesand optimized routing.

SMS Interconnectivity with Other Networks

Message Service Centers communicate with the Public Land Mobile Network(PLMN) or PSTN via Interworking and Gateway MSCs. Subscriber-originatedmessages are transported from a handset to a Service Centre, and may bedestined for mobile users, subscribers on a fixed network, orValue-Added Service Providers (VASPs), also known asapplication-terminated. Subscriber-terminated messages are transportedfrom the Service Centre to the destination handset, and may originatefrom mobile users, from fixed network subscribers, or from other sourcessuch as VASPs.

It is also possible, on some carriers, for non-subscribers to sendmessages to a subscriber's phone using E-Mail. For example an AT&Tsubscriber whose phone number was 555-555-5555 would receive e-mails to5555555555@txt.att.net as text messages. Sending a message this way isfree but subject to the normal length limit.

Short messages can also be used to send binary content such as ringtonesor logos, as well as Over-the-air programming (OTA) or configurationdata. Such uses are a vendor-specific extension of the GSM specificationand there are multiple competing standards. An alternative way forsending such binary content is EMS messaging which is standardized andnot dependent on vendors.

Today, SMS is also used for M2M (Machine to Machine) communication. Forinstance, there is an LED display machine controlled by SMS, and somevehicle tracking companies use SMS for their data transport or telemetryneeds. SMS usage for these purposes are slowly being superseded by GPRSservices due to their lower overall costs.

SMS was originally designed as part of GSM, but is now available on awide range of networks, including 3G networks. Commercially SMS is amassive industry in 2006 worth over 81 billion dollars globally.

SMS and IP

IP is not generally used within cellular operators' networks to carrytraditional SMS; this is accomplished using SS7. However, IP is oftenused to carry the short message data external to the cellular network.Examples of such usage include messages submitted to a message processorfrom an originating machine using a web-based (HTTP over TCP over IP),an email (SMTP over TCP over IP) or a paging (SMPP over TCP over IP)interface.

Short Code

Short codes, also known as short numbers, are special telephone numbers,significantly shorter than full telephone numbers, which can also beused to address SMS and MMS messages from mobile phones or fixed phones.

They are designed to be shorter to read out and easier to remember thannormal telephone numbers. While similar to telephone numbers, they are,at the technological level, unique to each operator, although providersgenerally have agreements to avoid overlaps. In some countries, such asthe United States, some classes of numbers are inter-operator (U.S.inter-operator numbers are called Common Short Codes).

Short codes are widely used for value-added services such as televisionvoting, ordering ringtones, charity donations and mobile services.Messages sent to short code can be billed at a higher rate than astandard SMS.

Normal telephone numbers (following the E.164 standard) form a prefixcode: no numeral used as a telephone number acts simultaneously as theprefix of another, since conventional land-line phones have no mechanismto say “this is the end of the number”. On mobile phones, numbers aresent all at once, so the network knows the end of the dialed number, andthus one can use short numbers without clashing with longer numbers. Forinstance, on a land-line phone, one could not use the short code 12345,since then one could not dial the phone number 1 234 567 8901 (or 1 234500 0000, or any other number that shared the prefix 12345), but on amobile phone there is no such ambiguity.

Short codes are often associated with automated services. An automatedprogram can handle the response and typically requires the sender tostart the message with a command word or prefix. The service thenresponds to the command appropriately. In ads or in other printedmaterial where a provider has to inform about both the prefix and theshort code number, the advertisement will typically follow this format:

Example 1—Long version: Text Football to 72404 for latest football news.

Example 2—Short version: football@72404

Premium-Rated Short Messages

Short messages may be used to provide premium rate services tosubscribers of a telephone network. Mobile terminated short messages canbe used to deliver digital content such as news alerts, financialinformation, logos and ring tones. The Value-added service provider(VASP) providing the content submits the message to the mobileoperator's SMSC(s) using a TCP/IP protocol such as the short messagepeer-to-peer protocol (SMPP) or the External Machine Interface (EMI).The SMSC delivers the text using the normal Mobile Terminated deliveryprocedure. The subscribers are charged extra for receiving this premiumcontent, and the amount is typically divided between the mobile networkoperator and the VASP either through revenue share or a fixed transportfee.

Mobile originated short messages may also be used in a premium-ratedmanner for services such as televoting. In this case, the VASP providingthe service obtains a Short Code from the telephone network operator,and subscribers send texts to that number. The payouts to the carriersvary by carrier and the percentages paid are greatest on the lowestpriced premium SMS services. The submission of the text to the SMSC isidentical to a standard MO Short Message submission, but once the textis at the SMSC, the Service Centre identifies the Short Code as apremium service. The SC will then direct the content of the text messageto the VASP, typically using an IP protocol such as SMPP or EMI.Subscribers are charged a premium for the sending of such messages, withthe revenue typically shared between the network operator and the VASP.Limitations of short codes include the limitation to national borders(short codes have to be activated in each country where the campaigntakes place), as well as being expensive to sign up together with mobileoperators.

An alternative to inbound SMS is based on Long numbers (internationalnumber format, e.g. +44 7624 805000), which can be used in place ofshort codes for SMS reception in several applications, such as TVvoting, product promotions and campaigns. Long numbers areinternationally available, as well as enabling businesses to have theirown number, rather than short codes which are usually shared across alot of brands. Additionally, Long numbers are non-premium inboundnumbers.

Distribution of Goods and Services

Goods and services are widely available over the various globalcommunications networks, including the internet and GSM networks.However, purchasing goods and services on such networks, such as forexample the internet, often requires a preliminary internet search tolocate a website providing a specific good or service desired by a user.In addition, after an appropriate website is located, the user must thenalso provide additional and detailed data to the website relating to (1)the user's identity, (2) billing information of a third-party relatingto the user's source for purchase credit, and (3) user chosen deliveryoptions. These data input tasks can be particularly challenging to amobile user having a small form-factor mobile device, and especially dueto the limited viewing access on the device for viewing the webpage andthe smaller key-pad for providing data input through the device.

Within the telecommunications industry, and in particular with respectto the major wireless service providers in that industry, select goodsor services can be associated with a numeric code known as a CommonShort Code (CSC), or simply a “short code”, for access by a mobile user.Industry standard implementations of these CSC numbers are limited inthat the CSC is merely used as a numeric code used for addressidentification and contains no other intrinsic function. Wirelessservice providers have deployed CSC short codes, which are phone numbersthat are input via Short Message Service (SMS) text messages andforwarded by a user to the provider. Then the associated goods orservices are ordered and billed for using the provider's billingsystems.

In order for a distributor to obtain a CSC number for that distributorto associate with a good or service, the distributor must first lease orotherwise obtain a CSC number from a CSC trade association. Then thedistributor must negotiate with each wireless service provider tosupport the leased CSC number. CSC numbers are unique within a domesticwireless service provider network system and only operate within anapproving provider's network. When a distributor implements a CSC numberthis way, the distributor cannot use the CSC number internationally andthe CSC number will have other cross-network limitations. Additionally,CSC numbers implemented this way through a wireless service provider'snetwork do not operate through internet communication protocols forweb-based applications.

The present invention is not in any way limited to just distributing agood or service associated with a Common Short Code (CSC). However, thesystems and methods of the present invention provide for an alternatechannel to distribute any good or service associated with a CSC, butwithout the typical difficulties associated with conventional CSCdistribution channels, such as international boundaries or cross-networklimitations. According to the present invention, these same goods andservices can still be distributed through the domestic wireless serviceprovider network systems in which a CSC has been approved. However, anyregional, national or international communications network can be usedin distributing the same goods and services.

PRIOR ART

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2008-0248819 discloses a method fortransmitting digital content to a mobile device by using a preliminarymessage sent to the device with the preliminary message listing choicesof content. However, the mobile device user must first receive thepreliminary message. No Internet platform or directory of predefinedcommands, utilization of predefined commands with platforms and webpages for utilizing predefined commands are disclosed.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2008-0072139 discloses a method forpresenting digital content to a mobile device using a webpage. Thepublication is directed to optimizing a webpage for presentation on asmall screen mobile device. No internet platform or directory ofpredefined commands, utilization of predefined commands with platformsand directory of predefined commands are disclosed.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007-0275738 discloses a system andmethod for translating and routing common short codes between wirelessservice provider networks. No predefined commands, utilization ofpredefined commands, or platforms and web pages for utilizing predefinedcommands are disclosed.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007-0198339 discloses a method fortransmitting promotional materials to a mobile device using webpagesprepared by promotional distributors. However, the mobile device usermust first conduct a search to locate the web pages. No predefinedcommands, utilization of predefined commands, or platforms and web pagesfor utilizing predefined commands are disclosed.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007-0161409 discloses a system andmethod for using a cellular phone to access a search server on theinternet. Although the publication uses the term “keyword” to conductthe search on the search server, this use of the term really describes asimple internet search for internet web pages. No predefined commands,utilization of predefined commands, or platforms and web pages forutilizing predefined commands are disclosed.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2007-0050371 discloses SMS texting ofmessages to an online database to identify a select service orinformation associates with an individual commercial entity. The onlinedatabases can also go through a verification step to authorize access ofa user to a database. The text messages are sent to the databasemaintained by the commercial entity for promoting sales by thecommercial entity. There is no SC platform, SC directory or SC languageassociated with an independent platform for multiple providers of goodsand services. Furthermore, there is no disclosure of SC command languagestructure and functionality.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006-0178932 discloses a central serverthat is accessed by a cell phone to provide business informationrequested through the cell phone. There is no SC directory or SClanguage associated with an independent platform for multiple providersof goods and services.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,356,337 discloses a system and method using acommunications management module for managing GSM network functions suchas correcting dialing sequences, translating short codes betweennetworks, and setting roaming preferences. No predefined commands,utilization of predefined commands, or platforms and web pages forutilizing predefined commands are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,391 discloses the use of dialed codes to obtainproducts and product information. Delivery of the products isgenerically but not specifically described. There is no universal SCplatform, SC directory or SC language associated with an independentplatform for multiple providers of goods and services. Furthermore,there is no disclosure of SC command language structure andfunctionality, or location based services and other aspects of theprevious SC patent application.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,049,835 and 6,769,018 disclose a system and methodusing a web-page to enter low-digit numeric codes, called “jump codes”,to access the URL of a webpage associated with a specific jump code. The“jump codes” are merely a numeric identifier associated with a specificURL address of different webpage and are not directly associated withdistributing goods or services. No predefined commands, utilization ofpredefined commands, or platforms and webpages for utilizing predefinedcommands are disclosed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The systems and methods of the present invention, in their most basicembodiments, involve a user device and a platform that is accessedthrough communication protocols associated with SMS or the internet. Theplatform has an interface, such as a web page, which is presented to auser through the internet device. In the SMS variant of the invention,the device itself is the primary interface for a user to access the SMSplatform. The platform also contains programming modules and a directoryor library of predefined commands called symbol commands.

A symbol command (SC) is a character string forming a pre-definedcommand to call for an action by a platform on behalf of the user suchas ordering or distributing a specific good or service. The platform,called a symbol command platform (SC platform), receives the SCcharacter string from a user through the interface. In the instance ofan internet platform, the user interface is a webpage, called a symbolcommand webpage (SC webpage). Typically, a user logs in by manuallyentering their identifier or this identifier is loaded automaticallywhen the user's Internet device connects to the SC webpage. The useridentifier (ID) can be any unique ID associated with the user, such asthe user's MSISDN number or their fixed IP address. In addition, theuser ID can be a subset of one of these numbers, such as the final sevendigits in a user's MSISDN number.

After a user obtains access to the SC platform, the user can then entera SC character string. This can be entered a number of different ways.In one embodiment, the SC webpage presents a data entry field providedfor this purpose on the SC webpage which is displayed to the user ontheir internet device. Once entered through the SC webpage, the SCplatform takes this data and processes the SC character string bycomparing it with a symbol command directory (SC directory). The SCdirectory is a library of symbol commands and associated functionalcommands located in the SC platform or SC webpage programming. The SCdirectory defines the goods, services, or functions that can beassociated with an SC character string. The initial comparison with theSC directory determines what action the platform will take in responseto SC character string input by the user. The SC platform will thendirect implementation of the SC, typically by providing specific goodsor services through various channels in the communications network basedon the specific SC which a user has entered. The internet-connecteddevice can be any IP device, including a mobile device, a stationarypersonal computer or an IP access station. The SC character string inputby the user can be any character string which is defined and stored inan SC directory accessible through the SC platform and SC webpage forproviding specific goods or services.

An ordinary symbol command (SC) may be modified to become a “smart”symbol command (SSC) by adding further command language input charactersto a basic SC character string defined within an SC directory andassociated there with specific goods or services. The SSC input stringprovides an intelligent functionality to the basic SC as it influencesor directs how the basic SC is processed through the computer coding andprogramming modules associated with the SC platform and/or the SCwebpage.

Keyword (KW) commands and function (FN) commands may also be deployedthrough the SC platform in addition to SSC functionalities. A keyword(KW) command is an additional input command that activates another layerof functionality, such as a product type modifier or product deliverymode or some other predefined qualitative parameter. A KW command iscoupled with at least one SC defining a good or service distributedthrough the SC platform. A function (FN) command is also a modifyinginput command that activates another layer of functionality associatedwith a quantity, such as a length, an amount or degree associated withthe good or service associated with an SC. The SC platform implementskeyword (KW) and function (FN) commands according to the preciseattributes associated with each unique KW or FN command listed in the SCdirectory itself, or in code or programming modules associated with theSC directory. A keyword (KW) command can also be combined with afunction (FN) command for implementation together by the SC platform.

The SC directory is a database in the SC platform that catalogues allthe basic symbol commands, smart functionalities and other commands thatare available to a user through the SC platform. The SC directory can besearchable or directly callable. According to optional embodiments, theSC webpage, the SC platform, or a separate database associated witheither the SC webpage or the underlying SC platform, may be programmedto provide a choice of alternative symbol commands or smart functions toa user in response to the original SC character string input by a user.These choices are communicated from the SC platform to the user throughthe SC webpage, or by an alternative channel such as through an email,SMS, or MMS message the SC platform sends to the user's internet device.Using the alternative SC choices provided from the SC platform, a usercan further define the specific good or service to be provided. Inaddition, all data associated with the interactive history that any userhas with an SC platform, SC webpage or SC directory can be gathered forseparate purposes. These purposes include augmenting a user's individualprofile for programming improved responses to subsequent SC commands orother SC platform inquiries by the individual user. In addition, thehistorical data can be used for improving or augmenting the databaseassociated with the SC directory used by many users. This data can alsobe used for demographic analyses, such as for the promotion or sales ofa specific good or service associated with the SC directory.

The SC platform may also provide ancillary services or functions inconjunction with the distribution of goods or services associated withthe SC platform. In optional embodiments, the SC platform can maintain abilling engine with a database containing user billing information, suchas shipping method and delivery location information, credit cardinformation, PayPal account access and the like, for pre-paid orpost-paid transactions related to the goods or services provided throughthe SC platform. In optional embodiments, an SC platform might processtransactions through an SC webpage via a simple “One-click” purchaseprocess, or use another alternative such a “shopping cart”, forprocessing multiple transactions or purchases. In other optionalembodiments, the SC platform can provide security functions, includingmessages to the user relating to credit approval, purchase ordervalidation and user authentication. One embodiment involves a two-waySMS secure user authentication process for high value or otherwisecritical items provided through the SC platform. A two-way SMSauthentication process involving sending a user an SMS requesting a PINconfirmation from the user is one such embodiment. The present inventionprovides an open and highly functional IP platform which can act as auniversal webpage for buying goods and services, and in someembodiments, can be associated with a centralized and secure billingengine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing basic elements and steps in a systemand method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing detailed elements and optionsassociated with order processing in a system and method according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a listing of the basic data elements stored in databasesassociated with the SC platform and SC directory according to theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing detailed elements and optionsassociated with processing an SC request, placing an order anddistributing goods and services in a system and method according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

According to the preferred embodiment the system and method of thepresent invention involves the basic method steps and system elementsillustrated in FIG. 1. In reference to FIG. 1, in order to begin themethod according to the preferred embodiment, a user ID is verified atthe SC platform. The SC platform provides access based on a verifieduser ID provided by the user when the user interfaces with the SCplatform through the user device and/or the SC webpage if the userdevice is an internet device. After access is granted, a user enters aSCM character string containing an SC into the SC platform through theinterface. According to the internet protocol variant of the invention,the interface is typically a webpage displayed on the user devicedisplay. In the SMS protocol variant, the user device is the preferredinterface. The SCM character string entered by the user is processed atthe SC platform by comparing the SCM character string with an SCdirectory associated with the SC platform. Typically, the SC platformwill then complete the process by implementing distribution of aspecific good or service according to the SC character string specifiedby the user. Other SC platform processing outcomes are within thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

The SC platform is user accessible through messages sent by conventionalSMS and/or internet protocols, direct IP commands M2M (machine tomachine), or through SMS, MMS or other messaging means. SC websiteaccess can be accomplished through a URL stored in the user's device ora URL address which is directly entered by a user. In addition, the usercan have a URL for a SC website pushed to their device via directinternet access, through an SMS or MMS message, an email, an IM, or anymessaging means that will transmit an embedded URL for an SC webpage.The user can then access the SC platform through the embedded URL to thewebpage.

An SC webpage structure is not limited and is formatted as needed todisplay on stationary devices or mobile devices, such as by authoringthem in XHTML, WML, CHTML, HTML, among others. In one embodiment, theWorld Wide Web Consortium (W3C) structure is deployed. Regional domainssuch as www.XXXX.com.UK or other domains, such as .org, .mobi and thelike can be used in the URL for the SC webpage. The same SC can beactive in more than one SC platform or SC webpage. The SC webpage loadsto the user internet device when that device addresses a URL assigned tothe SC webpage for interfacing with the SC platform. The URL assigned tothe SC webpage is not limited.

According to one embodiment, a URL is entered manually by the userthrough an internet device using aspects in the SC platform that can bereflected in the URL address assigned to the SC webpage. For instance,according to another embodiment, a family of URL addresses might bereserved with names associated with SC webpages optimized for mobiledevice access, such as a WWW.MOBI type URL. This can be combined by alsonaming the URL using some geographical attribute associated with thegoods and services provided through the SC platform. As an example, aWWW.MOBI.UK type URL is chosen for an SC platform which provides goodsand services within the United Kingdom as the geographically pertinentarea by a webpage optimized for access by a mobile device. In additionto manual entry of the URL, any URL might also be stored in memory,recorded as a bookmark by a browser application on the internet device,or otherwise stored in the device.

Referring to FIG. 2, at least one form of identification is associatedwith the identity (ID) a user must provide in order for the user to beable to access the SC platform. The form of identification utilized forproviding access is not limited. In one embodiment, a SC platform userwill manually input their telephone number from the handset. In otherembodiments, the user's telephone number will load automatically to theSC platform when the user accesses the SC webpage. The telephone numbercan be drawn automatically from any number of stored locationsassociated with the user's internet device, such as memory storagewithin the device, or taken from the user's HLR in a communicationsprotocol associated with the user's device. If a fixed IP address isavailable, such as with a machine-to-machine embodiment and with somemobile devices, the fixed IP address can load for purposes offunctioning as a user ID or user profile at the SC platform, or somepart thereof.

A user registers their ID for identification and access to an SCplatform. The user's ID is stored at the SC platform within the profileinformation associated with that user in a SC platform database. Theuser ID is then used by the SC platform for verification purposeswhenever that user seeks to access the SC platform. According to selectembodiments, when a user initially registers with an SC platform, theuser may just limit entry of profile information to one data field, suchas a phone number, to quickly complete a transaction through the SCplatform that requires no additional information from the user. Inanother embodiment, for registration with the SC platform, the user ispresented with a choice of different data fields for data to associatewith their individual user profile at the SC platform. The user profiledata fields will always relate the user's ID with the SC platform. But auser's profile information can also relate to billing information, auser personal identification number (PIN), a code or other authorizationfeatures, a phone number, an industry standard or other formatassociated with the phone number to infer location data from sub-codesin the phone number, a fixed IP address if available, physical addresslocation fields such as a zip code, or any other data field that can beimplemented through the SC platform in processing SC command languagefrom the user to distribute goods and services. The user's profile atthe SC platform is updated as needed so that the user profile fieldsmaintain current information about the user for providing goods andservices, and optionally for other purposes such as billing, through theSC platform.

According to one embodiment, a phone number and/or fixed IP address isused as at least a part of the user ID as identification for loginpurposes. Upon login at the SC platform, other verifications can also beemployed such as a two way SMS which is sent to the user's internetdevice for the user to confirm their identity with a reply SMS messagecontaining a user's PIN sent back to the SC platform. Alternative userID identifications for providing access may be specifically defined by auser. In other embodiments, a user ID for access to the SC platform mayinvolve other information that is associated with the user by some othersource, or be combined with the other variants described above. Any partof the user identification ID used for access may be unique to anindividual user. In an alternative embodiment, part of an individualuser's identification ID may be associated also with other users toidentify a set of users with similar profiles. Also, an individual usermay access more than one SC platform or SC webpage with a single user IDor with multiple separate user IDs for parallel access by the user tothe same or different SC platforms. In addition to a user ID, an SCplatform may also use passwords as an additional security feature.

Once a user obtains access to an SC platform, typically through an SCwebpage, a user will then provide as input a symbol command (SC) forprocessing at the SC platform. According to one embodiment, the SCcharacter string is input through manual entry by the user through theuser's physical keystrokes on an internet device keyboard. This inputprovides an SC character string in a data entry field provided on the SCwebpage. When a complete character string has been entered, the userinitiates processing of this SC character string, according to optionalembodiments, by clicking on a graphical object on the SC webpage, byentry of a user command through the internet device, or through someother trigger. The SC platform then initiates processing of the modifiedSC character string using this additional data.

The invention is not limited to SC entry through physical keystrokes bythe user on the user's internet device in order to accomplish initialentry of the SC character string for processing at the SC platform. Inalternate embodiments, voice input is the basis for data entry. Voicedata is translated to form a symbol command (SC) for processing. In oneembodiment, the voice data is processed at the user Internet device intoan SC character string which is then entered to the SC platform forprocessing. In another embodiment, a programming module at the SCplatform processes voice data taken directly from the user's internetdevice to form an SC character string for comparison with the SCdirectory at the SC platform. In another embodiment, the voice data isprocessed at the SC platform to form an SC character string which isthen displayed on the SC webpage to the user through the user's internetdevice for user confirmation purposes. According to another embodiment,user entry of an SC character string is accomplished by keystroke entryon mobile tablets with a larger form-factor for data entry.

In another embodiment, a user's eyewear or another visual datacommunication user device, transmits user selected data forming ordesignating a symbol command (SC) through a direct connection with theuser's internet device. If the user's eyewear or visual data device is astand-alone computing device, the data designating a SC is transmittedthrough a local wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, to the user'sinternet device. Selection of a symbol command made through a user'seyewear, in select embodiments, is based on the visual projections ofindividual characters, SC character strings, text representations, orgraphical objects which form an SC character string or designate asymbol command (SC). Any of these or other visual projections can bedisplayed to the user through the user's visual device or eyewear.

Location based “telelocation” information is incorporated into theprocessing at the SC platform in a variety of ways. When a user ID isbased on a phone number, the SC platform can infer location informationassociated with the user based on sub-code information from sub-codes inthe telephone number such as the country code, area code or prefix codein the phone number. A telephone number structure typically includes aWC=World Command Number 2-8 digits, a global alpha-numeric code such asthe universal 800 number; a CC=Country Code as defined in the MSISDNstandard; an AC=Area Code as defined in the MSISDN standard; and anEP=Exchange Prefix as defined by the telephone industry as a switchidentifier. When the SC platform responds to an SC command entered by auser, telephone number derived location data associated with the usercan be used to condition processing or delivery of goods and services,or generate other responses, for location-based SC platform replies. TheSC platform can extract any location-based information from any part ofa user phone number. SC platform programming incorporates informationregarding the relevant industry standards such as ISDN, MSISDN andinternational standards, in order for the SC platform programming toidentify various sub-coded information within each industry standardformat.

Location based information may also be provided to the SC platform basedon Enhanced 911 (E911) or Global Positioning System (GPS) data providedby the user's internet device. In addition, data fields in thecommunication protocols commonly used by wireless service providers canprovide further enhancements to how location based data is provided by auser to the SC platform. For instance, the registries for HLR (homelocation registry) and VLR (visitor location registry) fields are usedin these protocols by wireless service providers and associatedcompanies. These HLR and VLR registries contain information on userlocation that can also be input to the SC platform. As an example, ifthe VLR field associated with the user's device becomes active, thisindicates a mobile user is “roaming” within a network. Modules tomonitor and process this event are programmed within the SC platform toautomatically load related information, such CC or AC associated withthe user telephone number. If location based data such as GPS, or otherforms of location identifying technology, are associated with a userthrough the user's internet device, this information is acceptedautomatically from the user's internet device at some point after a useraccesses the SC platform. In addition, internet devices that arelocatable based on another location based technology, such as E911, canutilize data from this alternate technology. The location basedinformation from any of these sources is coordinated with any “smart”function code that may be input with a SC to condition the SC platformresponse following processing at the platform.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the system and method according to theinvention, character strings associated with a symbol command (SC), a“smart” symbol command (SSC) or a keyword (KW) or function (FN) commandcan be any combination of alpha-numeric characters, or other charactersymbols designated within an SC directory and associated with specificgoods or services provided through the SC platform. The SC, SSC or KWand FN commands may be at least one of a number, a letter, multiples ofletters, short words, and a number and a letter, or any combinationthereof with other types of symbols, such as mathematic functionsymbols, Greek letter symbols and the like. In certain embodiments, anSC, SSC or combinations thereof with FN and KW commands in one characterstring will contain 1-200 characters, 1-100 characters, 1-80 characters,1-60 characters, 1-40 characters, 1-30 characters, 1-20 characters, 1-15characters, 1-10 characters, or any single increment between 1 and 100characters in length.

Referring to FIG. 4, the SC platform, according to one embodiment,contains a billing program module. A user creates a billing relationshipwith the SC platform by registering and recording the user's billinginformation there. This information will include such items as normallycontained in a billing database. In some embodiments, this billinginformation can include the user's phone number and other user IDidentification information. The user ID information is used for sessionlog in and also for purchasing authentication purposes allowing for aseparate billing confirmation process utilizing a two way SMS messagewith PIN reply. The billing database is structured for pre-purchasepayments or post-purchase payments and supports direct payments, PayPal,credit cards, debit cards and other forms of payment. The methodincludes receiving approval to purchase the selected item based on theSC from the user with one click of a user input device.

In other embodiments, alternative channels than the internet can be usedin conjunction with the embodiments disclosed above. SMS, MMS, or emailmessages can be used as alternative distribution channels for suchthings as reminders or coupons associated with a purchase. In oneembodiment, SMS, MMS, or email are used for sending coupons or messagesthat include bar code information.

The following examples illustrate some aspects of the invention and arenot in any way limiting upon the invention disclosed and claimed.

EXAMPLE 1

In this example, a user inputs a mobile URL to an internet device toaccess a SC webpage such as www.soda.mobi. An SC webpage is displayedand the user inputs a symbol command (SC), such as an A/N characterstring into a field on the webpage and clicks enter. The SC triggers aproduct or promotional material, such as a screen saver or coupon whichis downloaded to the user internet device.

EXAMPLE 2

In this example, a user inputs a mobile URL to an internet device toaccess a SC webpage such as www.company.mobi. An SC webpage is displayedwith options of symbol command (SC) which can be searched by categorysuch as coupons, sales offers, tickets, location based services,personal service offerings, or product offerings, such as games, videos,mobile TV, or music and the like. Selecting from these choices, a userinputs a SC and clicks enter. The SC platform associated with the SCwebpage approves the SC product or service through user authentication,by sending a secure SMS requesting a PIN number input to approve thepurchase. The user has a billing account with the SC platform and ischarged for the product or service that is sent by physical delivery ordownload.

EXAMPLE 3

In this example, a user implements a keyword (KW) command with an SC.After accessing the SC platform through an SC webpage, the user inputs“SODA” as the SC and “Coupon” as the KW. In this example the user isassociated with a location based ID on their login at the SC platform byautomatic loading of the user telephone number. The SC platform thenforwards the request to the company server associated with the SC “SODA”and that server responds through the internet with local coupon offersto the user. If the user were traveling, they may also login using theCC+AC+EP in their phone number to indicate their current location or atarget location for delivery.

EXAMPLE 4

In this example, a user implements a function (FN) command with an SC.After accessing an SC webpage on the user's internet device, the userlogs into a SC platform which automatically loads the user telephonenumber through the SC webpage as the user ID. The user then inputs“HVAC” as the SC, followed by the “+” symbol ((plus) symbol) to indicatean appended command, and then the number “72” as the function (FN)command. The SC platform processes this and then forwards a commanddirectly to that user's home thermostat controller to set thetemperature in the user's house to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In analternative embodiment, this command might be sent to a commercialservice center to perform the same electronic service. In an alternativeembodiment, the user might specify separate temperatures in differentzones within the household by replacing the single temperature FNcommand “72” with the FN command “75-70-78” to designate the service toset three temperatures corresponding to three different zones in theuser's household.

EXAMPLE 5

In this example, a user implements a Common Short Code (CSC) through anSC platform with an SC command that includes the short code or a symbolcommand (SC) character string that corresponds in the SC directory witha specific good or service associated with the common short code (CSC).This would be the CSC corresponding to a good or service as provided bya wireless service provider that has authorized the CSC. In thealternative, the SC platform can define how the same good or service isto be distributed in a way that is completely independent of how thecommon short code (CSC) is authorized and distributed through a wirelessservice provider that has approved the CSC within its own network.

After accessing the SC platform through an SC webpage, the user inputsthe CSC itself, or a symbol command (SC) which corresponds to a specificgood or service otherwise associated with the CSC. The SC platform thenimplements distribution of the good or service according to independentSC platform criteria coded within the programming modules associatedwith the SC directory and SC platform. In the alternative, the SCplatform is connected through the internet or other communicationchannels with a wireless service provider that has authorized the CSCfor processing and distributing the same specific good or service. TheSC platform communicates with the wireless service provider by sendingdata identifying the CSC and any user identification or otherinformation the wireless service provider needs to complete thetransaction and distribute the specific good or service according to theparameters for processing the CSC within the provider's network. In oneembodiment, the SC platform passes this information to the wirelessservice provider through the VLR or HLR registries maintained within theprovider's communications network. By providing alternate distributionchannels, the SC platform provides a method for distributing the good orservice associated with a common short code (CSC) outside just thosenetworks of the wireless service provider which have authorized the CSCfor use within their own networks.

EXAMPLE 6

In this example, a user implements a “smart” symbol command (SSC)combined with both a keyword (KW) command and a function (FN) command,to set a vacation home security alarm to arm itself for active homesecurity following a three hour delay after the SSC command iscommunicated to the home security device. After accessing an SC webpage,an automatic login associates the user with the SC platform, containinginformation about the user's MSISDN number and vacation home residenceinformation. The user then inputs the SSC command “VH” to indicate smartprocessing at the SC platform relating to the user's vacation home,appended to SECUR″ as the basic SC to access a home security service.This input is followed by a “+” symbol ((plus) symbol) to indicate anappended command, then followed by the number “3” as the function (FN)command, and then followed with another “+” symbol ((plus) symbol) toindicate a second appended command and then the command “ARM” as thekeyword (KW) command. The complete SSC character string is“VHSECUR+3+ARM” which is manually entered by the user through the user'sinternet device. The SC platform processes this complete SSC characterstring and implements delivery of the electronic service bycommunicating instructions to the security device in the user's vacationhome to arm itself after a three hour delay.

EXAMPLE 7

In this example, a user interacts with the SC platform with only partialinformation and the SC platform responds with options for the user tocomplete the SC platform transaction. A user enters “PIZZAH+AC” whichincorporates the SC “PIZZAH” for home delivery of pizza followed by theKW command “AC” for home delivery of pizza within the user's own AreaCode (AC). Given that more than one pizza delivery service is availablewithin the user's area code, the SC platform receives this partial SCand upon processing, returns a list of further limiting choices for theuser to the SC webpage. The list is displayed on the SC webpage asgraphical objects representing specific commercial services as choicesfor the pizza delivery. The user then clicks on any of these graphicalobjects indicating a modification to the original SC command. The SCplatform then processes this modified SC command and implements homedelivery of the pizza as indicated by the user and charges the user forthe delivered pizza using billing information maintained in the user'sprofile within the SC platform.

In an alternative embodiment, the user enters “PIZZAH+AC202” for a listof choices within the 202 area code, as opposed to the user's own areacode. An alternative to this example is practiced with variantsutilizing information relating to Country Code (CC), Area Code (AC), andExchange Prefix (EP). In addition, other Location Based System (LBS)information, such as GPS or E911, might be utilized, through a userentering “PIZZAH+LBS1M” for all pizza home delivery services locatedwithin a one mile radius of the current location of the user's internetdevice. By adding the KW command “COUPON”, the user can also have the SCplatform forward a message to the user's internet device, by SMS orother means, for coupons associated with the pizza service deliveringthe pizza that can be redeemed when the pizza is delivered.

EXAMPLE 8

In this example, a user orders travel tickets with any coupons thatmight be associated with the purchase through the SC platform. Theassociated coupons contain visual data, such as bar code information.Because the SC webpage generally does not persist in memory on a user'sInternet device, the SC platform will modify delivery of bar codecoupons to the user in a manner that allows the bar code data to residewith the user's internet device until the coupons can be redeemed whenclaiming the purchased travel tickets. These bar code coupons are sentby MMS, email, as a picture or other form of image delivery whichpersists in the device and are readable by scanners linked to the retailmerchant to scan and validate with the ticket.

A user enters “AMTRAK+DC-PA+530PM+FC” to order train tickets and obtaina confirmation for will-call pickup. This SCM would be for a ticket fromWashington D.C. to Philadelphia at 530 p.m. in first class. In oneembodiment, the user would authenticate by getting a pin SMS to validateand then a confirmation number for will call or a barcode for automatedticketing. To the SCM, the user also adds the keyword (KW) command“COUPON” for a coupon to any available upgrades or amenities the traincompany associates with the user and the purchase. The SC platformprocesses the SC with the KW command for coupons. The purchasing chargesfrom the SC platform would go directly to an Amtrak account or anaccount such as PayPal. If the train were fully reserved, sold out, orthe entered time frame did not directly correspond with the trainsschedule at the preferred time, a schedule can be presented withalternate choices the nearest time before and after with avail seats canbe presented. Similarly, of first class were full then other tickets orscheduling might be presented through the SC platform. After finalchoices were made, the train company would then respond with informationfor will-call confirmation and digital data for coupons that includevisual data relating to a bar code, such as an Aztec Matrix Code, thatmust be scanned for entry. The SC platform can notify the user throughthe SC webpage, but will also forward a digital copy of the bar codecoupons to the user's Internet device by SMS, MMS, email or some othermessage means that preserves a digital copy of the bar code coupon andremains accessible to the user's Internet device after that device haspowered off or is otherwise disconnected from the SC webpage.

EXAMPLE 9

In this example, the user accesses an SMS platform using a cell phone tosend a text message containing a symbol command to be processed at theSMS platform. The symbol command message begins with a text fieldcontaining the address of the SMS platform through a GSM networkconnection. This addressing text field typically contains an accessinput code directed to the address of the SMS symbol command messageprocessing platform. The remainder of the symbol command messageaccording to the SMS variant of the invention is entered to operate in amanner similar to an internet SC platform wherein a user may implement a“smart” symbol command (SSC) combined with both a keyword (KW) commandand a function (FN) command.

The access input code can be 1) a reply to a push address such as ashort code number or long code number or a number proprietary to the SMSservice provider. The user inputs a number such as short Number, a longnumber or a proprietary number. The user might also access the SMSplatform by entering an embedded code such as IP address or emailaddress within an incoming message. The embedded code is sent by theuser by SMS to the SMS platform where it is sorted by the platform toget the address or number. Another embodiment would be an embedded replynumber in a web page. In this embodiment, a web page or SMS can bepresented to the user. The user clicks on the number to establish an SMSconnection or reply path with the SMS platform.

Symbol Command (SC) Platform Computing Device

Computing devices for operating the SC platform are used to implementthe systems and methods described herein, as either a client or as aserver or plurality of servers. A computing device is intended torepresent various forms of digital computers, such as laptops, desktops,workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, mainframes, andother appropriate computers. A user internet device can be various formsof mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellulartelephones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. Thecomponents described herein, their connections and relationships, andtheir functions, are meant to be exemplary only, and are not meant tolimit implementations of the inventions described and/or claimed herein.

A computing device includes a processor, memory, a storage device, ahigh-speed interface connecting to memory and high-speed expansionports, and a low speed interface connecting to low speed bus and storagedevice. Each of the components, are interconnected using various busses,and may be mounted on a common motherboard or in other manners asappropriate. The processor can process instructions for execution withinthe computing device, including instructions stored in the memory or onthe storage device to display graphical information for a GUI on anexternal input/output device, such as display coupled to high speedinterface. In other implementations, multiple processors and/or multiplebuses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memories andtypes of memory. Also, multiple computing devices may be connected, witheach device providing portions of the necessary operations (e.g., as aserver bank, a group of servers, or a multi-processor system).

The memory stores information within the computing device. In oneimplementation, the memory is a computer-readable medium. In oneimplementation, the memory is a volatile memory unit or units. Inanother implementation, the memory is a non-volatile memory unit orunits.

The storage device is capable of providing mass storage for thecomputing device. In one implementation, the storage device is acomputer-readable medium. In various different implementations, thestorage device may be a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, anoptical disk device, or a tape device, a flash memory or other similarsolid state memory device, or an array of devices, including devices ina storage area network or other configurations. In one implementation, acomputer program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier.The computer program product contains instructions that, when executed,perform one or more methods, such as those described above. Theinformation carrier is a computer- or machine-readable medium, such asthe memory, the storage device, memory on processor, or a propagatedsignal.

The high speed controller manages bandwidth-intensive operations for thecomputing device, while the low speed controller manages lowerbandwidth-intensive operations. Such allocation of duties is exemplaryonly. In one implementation, the high-speed controller is coupled tomemory, display (e.g., through a graphics processor or accelerator), andto high-speed expansion ports, which may accept various expansion cards.In the implementation, low-speed controller is coupled to a storagedevice and a low-speed expansion port. The low-speed expansion port,which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth,Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) may be coupled to one or more input/outputdevices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or anetworking device such as a switch or router, e.g., through a networkadapter.

The computing device may be implemented in a number of different forms.For example, it may be implemented as a standard server, or multipletimes in a group of such servers. It may also be implemented as part ofa rack server system. In addition, it may be implemented in a personalcomputer such as a laptop computer. Alternatively, components fromcomputing device may be combined with other components in a mobiledevice. Each of such devices may contain one or more of computing deviceand an entire system may be made up of multiple computing devicescommunicating with each other.

The user internet device and the computing device may communicatewirelessly through communication interface, which may include digitalsignal processing circuitry where necessary. The communication interfacemay provide for communications under various modes or protocols, such asIP, GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA,CDMA2000, or GPRS, among others. Such communication may occur, forexample, through a radio-frequency transceiver. In addition, short-rangecommunication may occur, such as by using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or othersuch transceiver. In addition, a GPS receiver module may provideadditional wireless data to device, which may be used as appropriate byapplications running on device.

User Internet Device or User Communications Device

The user internet device may be implemented in a number of differentforms that are mobile or fixed. For example, it may be implemented as acellular telephone with IP capabilities. It may also be implemented aspart of a smartphone, personal digital assistant, or other similarmobile device. Digital computers, such as laptops, desktops,workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, mainframes, andother appropriate computers may also be used.

The internet device may also communicate data audibly using audio codec,which may receive spoken information from a user and convert it tousable digital information. Audio codex may likewise generate audiblesound for a user, such as through a speaker, e.g., in a handset of thedevice. Such sound may include sound from voice telephone calls, mayinclude recorded sound (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.) and mayalso include sound generated by applications operating on device.

Symbol Command (SC) Platform Programming

Where appropriate, the systems and the functional operations describedin this specification can be implemented in digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructural means disclosed in this specification and structuralequivalents thereof, or in combinations of them. The techniques can beimplemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or morecomputer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., ina machine readable storage device or in a propagated signal, forexecution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus,e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Acomputer program (also known as a program, module, software, softwareapplication, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds otherprograms or data, in a single file dedicated to the program in question,or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or moremodules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can bedeployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at onesite or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by acommunication network. The processes and logic flows described in thisspecification can be performed by one or more programmable processorsexecuting one or more computer programs to perform the describedfunctions by operating on input data and generating output. Theprocesses and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can beimplemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integratedcircuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally,the processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memoryor a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computerare a processor for executing instructions and one or more memorydevices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer willalso include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transferdata to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data,e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. Informationcarriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and datainclude all forms of non volatile memory, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks;magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor andthe memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purposelogic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, aspects of the describedtechniques can be implemented on a computer having a display device,e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor,for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointingdevice, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provideinput to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide forinteraction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to theuser can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback,auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can bereceived in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

The techniques can be implemented in a computing system that includes aback-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes amiddleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes afront-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical userinterface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with animplementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, orfront-end components. The components of the system can be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., acommunication network. Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), e.g., theInternet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

Other Embodiments

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an internet-baseddelivery platform connected to a communications network for distributinggoods or services based on information sent from an internet device tothe delivery platform, said platform comprising: a computing device anda computer operations program, module or code for operating aninternet-based delivery platform; an internet interface accessible by auser internet device, said internet interface configured for receiving asymbol command message including a symbol command; a symbol commanddirectory with a database having a plurality of symbol commands; acomparison program, module or code for comparing the symbol command inthe symbol command message with the plurality of symbol commands in thedatabase of the symbol command directory; and a distribution program,module or code for implementing a distribution of a good or serviceassociated in the symbol command directory with the symbol command inthe symbol command message.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a platform whereinthe symbol command directory includes one or more smart symbol commandsand a comparison program, module or code for comparing a smart symbolcommand in the symbol command message with one or more smart symbolcommands listed in the database of the symbol command directory; whereinthe symbol command directory includes one or more keyword commands and acomparison program, module or code for comparing a keyword command inthe symbol command message with one or more keyword commands listed inthe database of the symbol command directory; or wherein the symbolcommand directory includes one or more function commands and acomparison program, module or code for comparing a function command inthe symbol command message with one or more function commands listed inthe database of the symbol command directory.

In still other embodiments, the invention is directed to a platformwherein the computer operations program, module or code is associatedwith a database for maintaining a profile associated with a user, saiddatabase including at least one user identification data field forholding user identity data; wherein the user identity data is associatedwith a phone number, a fixed IP address, an identifier defined by theuser, or another identifier associated with the user; wherein the useridentity data is associated with a MSISDN number, a part of a MSISDNnumber, a fixed IP address, or an ID defined by or associated with theuser; wherein the computer operations program, module or code includescoding for a process for verifying a user's identity a) prior togranting a user access to the platform and/or b) a) after granting auser access to the platform; wherein the computer operations program,module or code includes coding for a process for accepting manual inputof data associated with a user's identity; wherein the computeroperations program, module or code includes coding for a process foraccepting automated input of data associated with a user's identity;wherein the automated input of data is loadable from a user's internetdevice; wherein the automated input of data is loadable from a locationassociated with a communications network connectable with the platformor a user's internet device; and wherein the communications networkconnectable with the platform or the user's internet device is a) theinternet or b) a GSM, TDMA, CDMA or satellite communications network.

In yet still other embodiments, the invention is directed to a platformwherein a platform database includes at least one data field for userbilling information data; wherein a platform database includes at leastone data field for user authentication data for authenticating theidentity of a user when a) providing a user access to the platform or b)processing a purchase or distribution of goods or services distributedthrough the platform; wherein the user authentication data correspondswith a PIN associated with the user; wherein a platform databaseincludes at least one data field for holding location information forlocating or delivering goods or services distributed using the platform;wherein the data field for location information is configured to holddata associated with a telelocation; wherein the data field for locationinformation is configured to hold data associated with a globalpositioning system location; wherein the data field for locationinformation is configured to hold data associated with an E911 location;wherein the data field for location information is configured to holddata associated with a HLR or VLR registry in a GSM network; wherein thedata field for location information is configured to hold dataassociated with a geographic variable location; wherein the interface isa webpage; wherein the webpage has an input field for receiving entry ofa symbol command message; wherein the computer operations program,module or code includes coding for a one-click purchasing process;wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes codingfor sending a response to a user after a symbol command is processed atthe platform; wherein the coding for a response specifies sending theresponse to the interface; or wherein the coding for a responsespecifies sending the response by IM, SMS, MMS or email message.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of using aninternet platform connected to a communications network, said methodcomprising: providing a user access to the internet platform through aninterface; receiving at the platform a symbol command message includinga symbol command; comparing at the platform the symbol command messageto a symbol command directory associated with a database; andimplementing a response by the platform based on the symbol commandmessage.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a method wherein theresponse includes distributing a good or service associated with thesymbol command in the symbol command message; wherein the responseincludes processing of a purchase of a good or service associated withthe symbol command in the symbol command message; wherein the responseincludes sending a request for information associated with the symbolcommand message; wherein the comparing includes comparing a smart symbolcommand, a keyword command or a function command in the symbol commandmessage with one or more smart symbol commands, keyword commands orfunction commands listed in the database of the symbol commanddirectory; wherein the providing user access step includes verifying theidentity of a user; wherein the processing of a purchase includesverifying the identity of a user; or wherein the verifying the identityof a user includes authenticating a user through sending an IM to theuser requesting a PIN or other authentication response from the user.

In still other embodiments, the invention is directed to a methodwherein the verifying the identity of a user includes a comparing of theuser identity with data associated with a user profile at the platform,said data associated with a) a phone number, b) a fixed IP address, c)an identifier defined by the user, or d) another identifier associatedwith the user; wherein the phone number is a MSISDN number; wherein theresponse includes sending information for presentation to the userthrough the interface; wherein the response includes sending informationfor presentation to the user through an IM, SMS, MMS or email message;wherein the information for presentation to the user sent through an IM,SMS, MMS or email message includes information in a bar code format; orwherein the response by the platform is associated with locationinformation for locating or delivering goods or services distributedusing the platform.

In yet still other embodiments, the invention is directed to a methodwherein the location information is associated with a telelocation;wherein the location information is associated with a global positioningsystem location; wherein the location information is associated with anE911 location; wherein the location information is associated with anHLR or VLR registry in a GSM network; wherein the location informationis associated with a geographic variable location; wherein the interfaceis a webpage; wherein the webpage has an input field for receiving entryof a symbol command message; or wherein the purchase includes asingle-click process associated with the purchase.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to an internet-basedsystem for ordering and distributing goods or services comprising: a) aninternet device; and b) an internet-based delivery platform that is aninternet-based delivery platform connected to a communications networkfor distributing goods or services based on information sent from aninternet device to the delivery platform, said platform comprising: acomputing device and a computer operations program, module or code foroperating an internet-based delivery platform; an internet interfaceaccessible by a user internet device, said internet interface configuredfor receiving a symbol command message including a symbol command; asymbol command directory with a database having a plurality of symbolcommands; a comparison program, module or code for comparing the symbolcommand in the symbol command message with the plurality of symbolcommands in the database of the symbol command directory; and adistribution program, module or code for implementing a distribution ofa good or service associated in the symbol command directory with thesymbol command in the symbol command message.

In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a system wherein theinternet device is a mobile device; wherein the Internet device is aphone; wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more smartsymbol commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing asmart symbol command in the symbol command message with one or moresmart symbol commands listed in the database of the symbol commanddirectory; wherein the symbol command directory includes one or morekeyword commands and a comparison program, module or code for comparinga keyword command in the symbol command message with one or more keywordcommands listed in the database of the symbol command directory; whereinthe symbol command directory includes one or more function commands anda comparison program, module or code for comparing a function command inthe symbol command message with one or more function commands listed inthe database of the symbol command directory; wherein the computeroperations program, module or code is associated with a database formaintaining a profile associated with a user, said database including atleast one user identification data field for holding user identity datafor verifying the identity of a user; wherein the user identity data isassociated with a phone number, a fixed IP address, an identifierdefined by the user, or another identifier associated with the user;wherein the user identity data is associated with a MSISDN number, apart of a MSISDN number, a fixed IP address, or an ID defined by orassociated with the user; or wherein the computer operations program,module or code includes coding for a process of verifying a user'sidentity a) prior to granting a user access to the platform and/or b) a)after granting a user access to the platform.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a communicationsnetwork-based delivery platform connected to a communications networkfor distributing goods or services using information sent from acommunications device to the delivery platform, comprising: an interfaceaccessible by a user communications device, said interface beingconfigured for receiving a symbol command message including a symbolcommand; a symbol command directory with a database having a pluralityof symbol commands; a comparison program, module or code for comparingthe symbol command in the symbol command message with the plurality ofsymbol commands in the database of the symbol command directory; and adistribution program, module or code for implementing a distribution ofa good or service associated in the symbol command directory with thesymbol command in the symbol command message.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of usingdata gathered from distributing goods or services using information sentfrom an internet device to an internet platform, comprising: collectinga data record of a) a symbol command message received at the platform,b) a platform response to the symbol command message or c) both thesymbol command message and the platform response to form a historicaldata record.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, although certain platforms, systems and methods have beenshown, the particular components of each platform, system and method maybe rearranged as appropriate, and additional components may be added, orcomponents may be combined, separated, or eliminated, as appropriate.Also, although much of the disclosure speaks to mobile devices andplatforms and systems with an interface for display on mobile devices,in appropriate circumstances, the features described here may be appliedto non-mobile devices also. Accordingly, other embodiments are withinthe scope of the following claims.

1. A symbol command message processing platform connected to acommunications network for distributing goods or services, said platformcomprising: a computing device and a computer operations program, moduleor programming code for processing a symbol command message; a shortmessage service (SMS) platform to receive the symbol command message asan SMS message from a user, the symbol command message comprising abasic symbol command and at least one of a functional command or akeyword command that modifies the basic symbol command, wherein thefunctional command defines a quantitative parameter of a good or serviceassociated with the basic symbol command, and the keyword commanddefines a qualitative parameter of a good or service associated with thebasic symbol command; a symbol command directory comprising a databaseof basic symbol commands that are associated with one or more goods orservices and one or more functional and keyword commands; a comparisonprogram, module or programming code for comparing the symbol commandmessage with the database of symbol commands in the symbol commanddirectory; and a distribution program, module or programming code forimplementing the distribution of a good or service associated in thesymbol command directory with the basic symbol command according to theat least one functional command or keyword command in the SMS message toprevent a direct interfacing between the user and a separate vendordistributing the good or service.
 2. The platform according to claim 1,wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more smart symbolcommands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing a smartsymbol command in the symbol command message with one or more smartsymbol commands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.3. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the symbol commanddirectory includes one or more keyword commands and a comparisonprogram, module or code for comparing a keyword command in the symbolcommand message with one or more keyword commands listed in the databaseof the symbol command directory.
 4. The platform according to claim 1,wherein the symbol command directory includes one or more functioncommands and a comparison program, module or code for comparing afunction command in the symbol command message with one or more functioncommands listed in the database of the symbol command directory.
 5. Theplatform according to claim 1, wherein the computer operations program,module or code is associated with a database for maintaining a profileassociated with a user, said database including at least one useridentification data field for holding user identity data.
 6. Theplatform according to claim 5, wherein the user identity data isassociated with a phone number, a fixed IP address, an identifierdefined by the user, or another identifier associated with the user. 7.The platform according to claim 5, wherein the user identity data isassociated with a MSISDN number, a part of a MSISDN number, a fixed IPaddress, or an ID defined by or associated with the user.
 8. Theplatform according to claim 5, wherein the computer operations program,module or code includes coding for a process for accepting automatedinput of data associated with a user's identity.
 9. The platformaccording to claim 8, wherein the automated input of data is loadablefrom a location associated with a communications network connectablewith the platform or a user's internet device.
 10. The platformaccording to claim 5, wherein a platform database includes at least onedata field for user billing information data.
 11. The platform accordingto claim 5, wherein a platform database includes at least one data fieldfor user authentication data for authenticating the identity of a userwhen a) providing a user access to the platform or b) processing apurchase or distribution of goods or services distributed through theplatform.
 12. The platform according to claim 11, wherein the userauthentication data corresponds with a PIN associated with the user. 13.The platform according to claim 5, wherein a platform database includesat least one data field for holding location information for locating ordelivering goods or services distributed using the platform.
 14. Theplatform according to claim 13, wherein the data field for locationinformation is configured to hold data associated with a globalpositioning system location.
 15. The platform according to claim 1,wherein the computer operations program, module or code includes codingfor sending a response to a user after a symbol command is processed atthe platform.
 16. The platform according to claim 15, wherein the codingfor a response specifies sending the response to a user interface. 17.The platform according to claim 15, wherein the coding for a responsespecifies sending the response by IM, SMS, MMS or email message.
 18. Theplatform according to claim 1, further comprising: an SMS interface fora user device, the SMS interface adapted to receive user input of theSMS message.
 19. The platform according to claim 1, wherein the SMSmessage comprises an addressing text field adapted to contain an addressof the SMS platform.
 20. The platform according to claim 1, wherein theSMS message comprises an addressing text field adapted to contain aninput access code directed to an address of the SMS platform.
 21. Theplatform according to claim 20, wherein the input access code is a replyto a push address including at least one of a short code number, a longcode number, or a number proprietary to an SMS service provider.
 22. Theplatform according to claim 1, wherein the SMS message comprises anembedded code including one of an IP address or an email address. 23.The platform according to claim 1, further comprising: a web pagepresentable to a user, the web page comprising an embedded reply number,wherein the embedded reply number is selectable by the user to establishan SMS connection though which to transmit the SMS message.
 24. A shortmessage service (SMS) symbol command message processing platformconnected to a communications network for distributing goods orservices, the platform comprising: a computing device and a computeroperations program, module or programming code for receiving, from auser, and processing an SMS message comprising a symbol command messagehaving a basic symbol command and at least one of a functional commandor a keyword command that modifies the basic symbol command, wherein thefunctional command defines a quantitative parameter of a good or serviceassociated with the basic symbol command, and the keyword commanddefines a qualitative parameter of a good or service associated with thebasic symbol command; a symbol command directory comprising a databaseof basic symbol commands that are associated with one or more goods orservices and one or more functional and keyword commands; a comparisonprogram, module or programming code for comparing the symbol commands inthe SMS message with the database of symbol commands in the symbolcommand directory; and a distribution program, module or programmingcode for implementing the distribution of a good or service associatedin the symbol command directory with the basic symbol command accordingto the at least one functional command or keyword command in the SMSmessage to prevent a direct interfacing between the user and a separatevendor distributing the good or service.
 25. A method for distributing agood or service using a short message service (SMS) platform, the methodcomprising: receiving, from a user and at the platform, an SMS messagehaving a basic symbol command and at least one of a functional commandor a keyword command that modifies the basic symbol command, wherein thefunctional command defines a quantitative parameter of a good or serviceassociated with the basic symbol command, and the keyword commanddefines a qualitative parameter of a good or service associated with thebasic symbol command; comparing at the platform the symbol commands inthe SMS message to basic symbol commands and functional and keywordcommands listed in a symbol command directory associated with adatabase; and implementing a response by the platform based on thesymbol command message to prevent a direct interfacing between the userand a separate vendor implementing the response.